A breath of fresh air

A Breath of Fresh Air

There are few things more reviving than a breath of fresh air. Being outside in a green space can provide a sense of calm and well being, promote better health and even improve sleep patterns. When people are living with health problems, fresh air can be even more beneficial, especially if they have had to become fairly inactive or spend a lot of time inside.


The Abbeyfield Society : A Breath of Fresh Air
Designed by Rae Wilkinson
Computer visual created by Coucou Design


I am a firm believer in the healing power of nature and of beautiful places which provide space, a sense of escape, and some contact with nature.
When I design gardens I am always thinking of the emotional effect of the space on the people who enter it. How it will trigger the senses ...calm the mind .. Consciously or not people are usually affected by their surroundings and I see it as my job to stimulate some good feeling even just for a moment. The effect  may be of decompression, a momentary lift, simply space or distraction. A garden is a living, breathing evolving space and  this makes it a magical medium to work with.


The Abbeyfield Society : A Breath of Fresh Air
Designed by Rae Wilkinson
Computer visual created by Coucou Design

I have created a garden for this years RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show for The Abbeyfield Society to launch their Breath of Fresh Air scheme. Abbeyfield are an international organisation running care homes for the elderly, many of whom live with dementia. They are keen to encourage their residents and carers into the garden to enjoy the multiple benefits of being outside. Even in the late stages of dementia a person still experiences emotional response, so a garden can be a valuable resource.


RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2016: July 5th - 10th
Links:


www.rhs.org.uk/Hampton

www.raewilkinson.com

www.abbeyfield.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Space Within - Mindfulness Garden RHS Chatsworth 2019

Image
Space Within  - Mindfulness Garden RHS Chatsworth 2019 The ‘Space Within’ garden is a biophilic meditation space in which to escape the hectic outside world. The first moon gate represents a portal from the busy outside world, through which the visitor passes to the ‘Space Within’. The central area provides a symbolic place which both offers and mirrors the healing, tranquil inner space of meditation. A mini forest references Shinrin –yoku :  the therapeutic benefits of “forest bathing” or being among trees which enables wellbeing at many levels A second portal at the back of the garden provides a view to flowing water and lush foliage, calming the senses and symbolising the energetic flow which follows a moment of serenity. Textural foliage provides a lush green element that travels up the walls and brings the positive green element associated with ‘biophilia’ - the human need to connect to nature, which is much needed within modern urban living.  Links: Design by Ra
Read more

Space to Grow - Chelsea Flower Show 2018

Image
Space to Grow   Chelsea Flower Show 2018 I was delighted to be asked to create a visitor zone garden for the RHS at this year's Chelsea Flower show. The garden showcased the new show garden category 'Space to Grow' and provides information and ideas for visitors to take home - no matter how small your outdoor space may be. Plant list and supplier / contributor information is all listed below. The garden showed some simple planting combinations for sunny and shady conditions, both in the ground and in containers. I designed some bench seats for the space which are natural and simple and separate into 3 seats or 2 seats and a table for versatility. Contemporary terracotta bird feeders are  hung in the trees to bring wildlife into the space and tone with the corten steel. Bench by Rae Wilkinson Design and Living Landscapes, corten steel planters by Adezz from The Pot Company Bench by Rae Wilkinson Design and Living Landscapes, corten steel planters by A
Read more

RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2015 - Living Landscapes H U G by Rae Wilkinson

Image
RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2015: My Healing Urban Garden with Living Landscapes I am delighted to be creating a show garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show this year, for their 25 th anniversary year. The garden will be built and sponsored by Living Landscapes, an award winning landscaping company based in Horsham, West Sussex. For me, having designed and cared for gardens for many years, creating a show garden brings the opportunity to be creative in a more imaginative way. The garden is entitled ‘H U G’ - an acronym for ‘Healing Urban Garden’. The design is based on the  idea that green space in an urban environment can be powerfully restorative. My intention is to create a place of escape and retreat, a sensory hug within a small and simple green space. The colour scheme has been selected for calming qualities, whilst the planting palette is a largely herbal, evergreen and low maintenance combination of scented and textural foliage. Planting is
Read more